# NTSB GAA20CA020: Ayres S2R, N3090C, Willacoochee, GA, October 11, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 11, 2019, 13:21 UTC - Place: Willacoochee, GA - Coordinates: 31.398889, -83.001388 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3989&lon=-83.0014&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100425 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA20CA020 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100425/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100425 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA020 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at low altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-T34, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=0970106), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-T34, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=0970106), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-T34, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=0970106), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-T34, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0970106), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during an agricultural application flight, as he circled the field to realign the airplane with it, the airplane struck power lines. Subsequently, the airplane impacted a wooded area next to the field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during an aerial application flight, as he circled the field to realign the airplane with the cotton field, the airplane struck power lines. Subsequently, the airplane impacted a wooded area next to the cotton field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wing. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3090C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3090C-2019-11-22), registration cancelled 2019-11-22, S/N T34-075DC, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ayres S2R (T34) - Registry model: [Ayres S2R-T34](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s2r-t34) (registry code 0970106) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [U/A Canada PT6A-34](https://openairdocs.org/engine/u-a-canada-pt6a-34) (registry code 61534, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T34-075DC - Year built: 1983 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34 turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Souther Crop Spraying Inc - Registered owner: Souther Crop Spraying Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Flight plan: Unknown - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: serious; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: single ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KDQH, 9 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20191011021119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191011021119A), Oct 11, 2019: Ayres Corporation S2R-T34, Willacoichee, GA, Destroyed. I arrived at the accident site Saturday 10/12/2019 @ 1230 eastern time. I spoke with the land owner who was on site when the accident occurred. He stated the… ## Other investigations on N3090C (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB FTW96LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA069), Dec 13, 1995: Ayres S2R-T34 (N3090C), West Helena, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: Binding of the power lever linkage, due to corrosion, which resulted in a situation that led to an inadvertent shut-down of the engine at a critical point on the approach to land. A factor relating… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 4, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100425. 383 KB in all. - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 1, .PDF, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481023&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Record of Memorandum (item 2, .PDF, 104 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481024&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Memorandum-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 187 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481025&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.